Athlete of the Week

Anna Maria College's football team, the first in the school's history, has collectively been named Athlete of the Week.

Anna Maria Coach Marc Klaiman is building a team from scratch, recruiting from throughout New England and in the Mid-Atlantic states. Since Aug. 15 players have been drilling on a new field outfitted with state-of-the-art artificial turf and lights.

Expectations are running high for the AmCats, who open their season Sept. 5 against Castleton State in Vermont. It's a historic occasion: the first football game that either college has ever played.

The real excitement arrives on campus on Sept. 12, when Anna Maria takes on Fitchburg State in the home opener.

It's a big leap for Anna Maria, which has steadily been expanding its athletic offerings under President Dr. John Calareso. "Football changes the profile of an institution," Calareso says.

The players are not the biggest, strongest or fastest, says Klaiman. But they will be well schooled, well grounded and will play with heart every time they take the field.